GB2064812A - Eyeglasses - Google Patents

Description

GB 2 064 812 A

SPECIFICATION Eyeglasses

5 The present invention relates to novelty devices and in particularto new and improved pairs of novelty eyeglasses.

The invention provides a pair of eyeglasses comprising, a frame, a pair of lense apertures mounted in 10 said frame, a pair of earpieces secured to said frame, and means for emitting light mounted in said frame adjacent at least one of said lense apertures.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pair of novelty 15 eyeglasses constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view of a portion of the eyeglasses of the present invention;

20 Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the eyeglasses of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a front view of one lense and surrounding frame of the eyeglasses of the present invention; 25 and

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of the electrical circuit employed in the eyeglasses of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawing and initially to 30 Figure 1, there is illustrated a pair of novelty eyeglasses generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The novelty eyeglasses 10 are intended to be worn by an individual preferably in a dark or subdued light situation to create an eerie effect by 35 continuously or intermittent emission of light around the eyes.

The novelty eyeglasses 10 include a frame 12 similar in appearance to the typical frame employed in ordinary eyeglasses. The frame 12 includes first 40 and second apertures 14 and 16 for mounting first and second lenses 18 and 20. The lenses 18 and 20 preferably are non-prescription and may be either plastic or glass; however, plastic is preferred in view of its resistance to shattering or cracking. 45 The frames 12 include an undulating portion 22 as is found in ordinary frames so as to fit overthe bridge of a nose. Hingedly mounted to the frame 12 are first and second earpieces 24 and 26 that are intended to fit over the ears of the wearer to hold the 50 eyeglasses 10 onto the wearer's face. The earpieces 24 and 26 are elongated and slightly thickened and are connected to the frame 12 by hinges generally designated by the reference numeral 28. The hinges 28 include first and second plates 30 and 32 joined 55 together by a pin 34 allowing the earpieces 24 and 26 to be folded crossed in back of the frame 12 or to be extended outwardly and parallel to each other to be placed overthe ears of the userthereby providing a desired holding function. The eyeglasses 10 include 60 first and second light emitting devices 36 and 38 that in the preferred embodiment are light emitting diodes or LEDs to provide an eerie and entertaining light effect to the eyeglasses 10. As is understood by one skilled in the art, light emitting diodes of the type 65 employed in the eyeglasses 10 may be made of a variety of different materials to produce several different colors. For example, one preferred color is red. The light emitting diodes 36 and 38 are secured within support frames or holding members 40 and 70 42 that are integrally fabricated on the frame 12 and include apertures 44 (Figure 3) within which the diodes 36 and 38 are mounted. The holding members 40 and 42 extend upwardly from the portion of the frame 12 mounting the bottom of each lense 18 75 and 20 to a point wherein the diodes 36 and 38 are positioned slightly below the center of each lense 18 and 20. This positioning of the diodes 36 and 38 allows the eyeglasses 10 when observed from a distance to appear as though the light emitting from 80 the diodes 36 and 38 is emitted from the cornea of the eyes of the wearer.

The light emitting diodes 36 and 38 are electrically connected in parallel by electrical wires 46 and 48 connected to a pair of batteries 50 and 52 mounted 85 within a recess 54 fabricated in the earpiece 24 and covered by a plate 56. The wires 46 and 48 may be included in the frame 12 or merely glued thereto. The wires 46 and 48 are connected to the batteries 50 and 52 through a first manually actuatable switch 58 90 that is defined in a switch housing 60 integrally fabricated on the earpiece 24. The switch 58 includes a plunger or pushbutton 62 that may be manually depressed by the finger of the user of the glasses 10 to complete the electrical circuit to energize the light 95 emitting diodes 36 and 38.

As can be understood, the plunger or button 62 may be depressed to energize the light emitting diodes 36 and 38 continuously or may be repeatedly depressed and released creating a flashing effect. To 100 complete the electrical circuit and to prevent inadvertent use of power, a second switch generally designated by the reference numeral 64 is also provided. The switch 64 includes first and second metal or electrical conductive plates 66 and 68. The 105 switch 64 is located at the hinge 28 connecting the earpiece 24 to the frame 12. The plate 66 is secured to the frame 12 and the plate 68 is secured to the end of the earpiece 24 adjacent to the frame 12. As the earpiece 24 is folded toward the frame 12, the plates 110 66 and 68 are moved out of engagement thus preventing the flow of current therethrough. As can be understood, depression of the pushbutton or plunger 62 in this position of the earpiece 24 will not result in the energization of the light emitting diodes 115 36 and 38. Consequently, the earpiece 24 must be fully extended to engage plates 66 and 68 before the circuit may be completed and energization of the light emitting diodes 36 and 38 can be accomplished by depression of the plunger or pushbutton 62. 120 The electrical circuit of the eyeglasses 10isbest illustrated in Figure 5. As can be understood from the above description, the novelty eyeglasses 10 may provide a novel and entertaining effect in a darkened room or area by opening the earpieces 24 125 and 26 to their fully extended positions whereupon the plates 66 and 68 engage each other, placing the eyeglasses on the face of the user, and creating an eerie red or similarly colored light upon actuation of the switch 60 in the manner previously described.

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GB 2 064 812 A

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Claims (7)

1. A pair of eyeglasses comprising, a frame, a pair of lense apertures mounted in said frame, a pair

5 of earpieces secured to said frame, and means for emitting light mounted in said frame adjacent at least one of said lense apertures.

2. The eyeglasses set forth in claim 1, wherein said light emitting means includes a source of

10 energy mounted on said frame.

3. The eyeglasses set forth in claim 2, further comprising a selectively operable switch means for coupling said source of energy to said light emitting means.

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4. The eyeglasses set forth in claim 1, further comprising a pair of hinges connecting said first and second earpieces to said frame.

5. The eyeglasses set forth in claim 4, further comprising an interrupter switch means defined by

20 one of said hinges for coupling said light emitting means with a source of energy.

6. The eyeglasses setforth in claim 1, wherein said light emitting means comprises a pair of light emitting diodes.

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7. A pair of eyeglasses substantially as described herein with particular reference to Figures 1-5 of the accompanying drawings.

Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by Croydon Printing Company Limited, Croydon, Surrey, 1981.

Published by The Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A1AY, from which copies may be obtained.